IG

Company Background

In our IG review, we look at a broker that began its journey in the retail Forex market back in 1974. Today, the IG Group includes companies with offices in 19 countries, offering services to both individual and corporate clients. They operate under the licenses of regulators from the UK (FCA), Germany (BaFin), Australia (ASIC), the US (Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association), South Africa, Switzerland, Singapore, Dubai, etc. Shares of the parent company, IG Group Holdings plc, are traded on the London Stock Exchange (ticker LSE) and are part of the FTSE 250 index.

Overview of Services and Trading Terms

IG offers several trading options in the Forex/CFD market:

• Spread betting. A great option for novice traders who lack the knowledge to manage capital and risk effectively. It differs from classic trading as users set their profit/loss per price point change.
• Classic CFD trading. Traders have access to a single account type for making transactions. All options are available to every user, regardless of their account balance.
• US-listed options and futures. A special account type designed mainly for experienced traders. Nearly all futures and options listed on American exchanges are available, allowing the use of any strategies and trading systems developed for derivatives.

In addition to trading accounts, IG clients can open investment accounts:

• Share dealing. A classic account for those who wish to invest in stocks and other securities traded on the stock market. The buyer becomes a full-fledged shareholder of the issuer, can participate in company management and receive dividends.
• Smart portfolios. A managed account where the client only deposits funds and chooses one of the strategies suggested by IG specialists. The broker’s representative then acts on their behalf and in their best interests.

Traders have access to over 17,000 trading instruments, with 13,000+ stocks and more than 2,000 ETFs available on Share Dealing accounts. Trading conditions vary depending on which IG Group company the account is opened with. In the UK, retail clients can leverage up to 1:33, and professional clients up to 1:222. Spreads are variable, with a minimum of 0.6 pips for the most liquid currency pairs. There are no minimum deposit restrictions; accounts can be funded starting from $1.

Referral and Bonus Schemes

Despite its extensive experience and solid user base, IG does not offer referral programs or bonuses to client accounts. This is mainly due to their operation under the licenses of reputable regulators, which generally frown upon such client attraction methods.

The company’s reputation allows them to thrive without such schemes; there are plenty of clients willing to open accounts and trade with the group. Additionally, the group’s representatives actively publish content and engage with users on social media, ensuring a steady stream of new clients.